Screw-thread gauging device



May 4, 948. W Q MOORE 27,440,967

SCREW THREAD GAUGING DEVICE I Original Filed May` '11, 1943 if LLL# Patented May 4,l 1948 to Johnson Gage Company, Bloomfield, Conn., a partnership of Connecticut Continuation of application Serial No. 486,526, `May 11, 1943. This application November15,

1943, Serial No. 510,390

claims. (o1. 33-199) This invention relates to improvements in tools and is directed more particularly to improvements in gauging devices for screw threads. This application is a continuation of my application Serial Number 486,526, led May 11, 1943, which is now abandoned.

The principal objects of the invention are directed to the provision of a gauge for gauging the threads of screws and the like whichis characterized by its ment.

According t'o one feature of the invention, the gauge `device is adapted for engagement by the hand so that it may be operated much after the manner of a hand gun thereby to facilitate speed in gauging operations.

According to another feature of the invention, the gauge is constructed and arranged to simultaneously gauge and indicate the important characteristics such as thread form, lead or pitch, inner diameter, pitch diameter, etc., of screw threads.

Another object is to construct a gauge for screw threads having gauging means which includes a plurality of gauging elements or blocks with cooperating concave `gauging surfaces which slidably open and close for the insertion oi a test part or screw therein.

A still further object is to construct a` screw thread gauge having gaugingl means which includes a pair of gauging elements or blocks with cooperating concave gauging surfaces which slidably open and close for the insertion of a screw to be tested therein in cooperation with a second gauging means which tests for pitch diameter at the same time that the gauging blocks are testing the screw.

Another object is to construct a gauge which tests a thread for one or more thread characteristics such as lead, thread form, et cetera, and

simultaneously with this test also tests for pitch diameter.

The gauge device is adapted for broad application and various changes may be made to adapt the same for various screw thread gauging operations without departing from the spirit and Ascope of the invention.

In the drawings:v Figure 1 is a plan view of a gauge device embodying the novel features of the invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the gauge device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a, sectional elevational view on the line .3-3 @Figure 2;

novel construction and arrange--` Figure 4 is a sectional elevational View on the line 4 4 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a similar View on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

In gauging a' screw thread various elements lof the thread are tested in order to determine whether or not thesame will assemble with its mating partsuch as a` nut or other threaded hole. The best test for assembly-ability is a ring gauge which gives a test around the entire periphery ofits screw, it is, however, slow in operation or use and is subject to excessive wear especially at the mouth of the gauge. The gauge to be described herein gives peripheral contact as effectively as in a ring gauge but has the vspeed of operation of a snap gauge and is not subject to the excessive wear at the mouth as with a solid ring gauge. The ring gauge although providing an adequate test for assembly-ability, is Vnevertheless inadequate to test the pitch diameter so that 'a screw may `assemble in a threaded hole but be too small and hence lack strength when assembled with its mating part. It is customary therefore to test alsolthe pitch diameter of the screw with a second gauge in a separate operation. In the gauge herein fthe test 4for assembly-ability and for pitch diameter is made simultaneously thereby giving a` double -test in one operation,A which heretoiorejhas required vtwo operations.

Any suitable means may be provided upon which the gauging elements are mounted. The

means shown is constructed for holding in the hand of the` inspector or operator and includes aframe 2 which includes an upper body or barrel part 4- and .a lower hand grip 6 .which will be suitably formed/for conveniently gripping by the hand and its shape vand size may vary within wide limits for that purpose. The hand grip may have a plate or flange 1 for securing the grip to the underside ofthe body by the means of screws, notshown.

The framecarries a slide 8 at the forward end of the body 'which has a rear tongue l0 that is slidably retained in the body, as shown in Fig. 3 so that the slide may move relatively thereto. The sli-de may be moved by. any desirable means that particularlyshown being a linger-engaging trigger l2 carried by the tongue for engagement by the finger. l .I

The member l2 has an upper part I3 slidable in agroove l5 ingthe lower side of the tongue and the trigger projects through a longitudinal slot in the plate l, as shown in Fig. 2. A spring I1 in, the groove l5 lacts 011th@ trigger and resists .body 4.

movement of the trigger rearwardly relative to the tongue IG while the rear end of the trigger is arranged to abut the rear end of the slot in plate 1 to limit movement of the trigger rearwardly of the body.

The gauging inlues Pair .of .icooneratinggauge' blocks which open and close for the insertion of a test screw therein. A gauge block I4 is provided that has a dovetail connec.- tion I6 with the body 4 and a, gauge block I8 is similarly connected to the Yslide'. These blocks are removablez-,rom .thefbodyfand slide respectively. The gauge .blockshave con.- cave gauging portions provided with interna-l screw threads, as will appear bfor repeiying screw therebetween. Th'fploclgs ,1"',lpyxble in order to provide numerouspairs of blocks for use in gauging screw threads of various types and sizes. f

Means may be provided to open and normally hold open the V.gauging means. A spring-Zubetween the rearmost end :of thextongue mandan abutment 22 urges .the slide-'ierwardly Ifrom .the positionshown in Figs. 1 and 2. If desired, stop means'may consister a screw,v 2.4 in engagement with the tongue. l0, the underside .of .the head of .the screw being arranged fto abut the; bottom of a socket'ZB in the body` :outward .or `forward :movements of -thefslide relative to --the Suitable indicating meansis provided toA determine whether or not .ascrew is within the allowable limits. The indicators 3.0. and- 3 2 illustrated, areof the dial type and are iixedto` the body and slide respectively in suitable manner. These indicators are of the. well known time having plungers 3,4 and 3,6, that are, spring pressed outwardly. When` the plungersare movedinwardlv they operatepointers that register Awith-graduations or indicia on dials asshown. Small movements of the plungers inwardly areindicaten -by krelatively large movements.V of the pointers. which is usual with indicators of Vtype reerred to. .with the slide urged mazzardlsfY bri-.spring vv2.0 the gauging blocks 1.4 and 1 8 are separated. or opened so. that the screw. .to v he gauged may, -be placed therebetween. With tliegrip in thailand the'slide maybe moved rearwardly by. engaging Vthe trigger l2 with the finger softhat the screw being gauged is embraced 'by `er lbetdlieen the blocks I4 and I8.. In gauging position. thesblncks have full .or substantiallyL full .peliiheral contact with theV screw and hence gives atest which is the equivalent of that given bya ring gauge,

`An abutment 9 onthe tongue. :lll engages the plunger 34V of the indicator :Bossorthat :it is operated thereby in a gauging operation.

The gauge may be provided vwith means for gauging the pitch diameter of the screw being tested at the same time that .thegauglngblgcls test the screw for assembiyeability. The. pitch diameter gauge means engages-inthegroove of one or two threads while thegauging-bloclrsen- .gage the screw and an indicator determines whether or not this .diameter is. Within the. allQW- able :limits- Preferably the twogangingfoperd.- tions occur. simultaneously; AIn order. tcaceompush this the eenterof thethrcad is exposed: by a groove, recess or opening in the blockgallng means and as illustrated this grooveml-Ybeiin une gauging block. The pitch diameter: gauge. or

means is carried by any suitable part. of Vthe ngelement is neededfnamly-the pitch diameter gauging element. This gauging element is preferably carried by or mounted upon one of the gauge blocks and cooperates with the other and is illustrated as mounted upon the movable gauge block I8. In this double gauge both of which Vparts .engage the test part simultaneously it is la U-shaped pilot member 40. This member 4l! ,n ugife'r haci; and forth relative to the block lllY and it is spring pressed rearwardly by some suitable means such asa spring 42. A transverse pin 44 carried by the block is disposed in a notch 45 of the pilot 40 .to limit movements .of said pilot inwardly `0f the block.

l'Ilfhe pitch diameter gauging means or element may be of anydesired form and is carried by the pilot 4.0. The gauging means shown includes .one or two pitch members 5&8 s uch as a wire or rod having their-,opposite ends fixed to the inner side ofV the pilot 4 0. These ,are arranged .to 4engage between the threads of a .screw .beine gauecd and at the pitch diameter thereof. The members 48 are secured at their ends as shown in Figs. 4 and5 -andmay be slightly yieldable intermediate. said ende longitudinally of' the Screw being gauged in .order toaccommodatethemselves to screw threads which ,are not inaccurate beyond a predetermined desired degree. The members 4 8 are restrained or backed such bv a projection in order to prevent lateral yielding or yielding away from .the test part.

Suitable indicating :moans may be .used to indicate the position of thc pitch diameter gauging means. A dial type indicator 32 is shown, the 4plunger 31 of which engages the pilot at the vupper end thereof. indicator is carried by .the slide B,

.Screw threads of; the blocks M. and i8 to gather. with members. ,48 are .Such .that when a perfect screw is engaged between the blocks the pointers .of the indicators resistor with certain indicia .of the .dials thus. indicating the correctness or .the characteristics of the screw.

.In Fies.- .1 and 2 of .the drawings, thc .Slide 8 .isin its rear-.most causing position for cloarnoss asY though the grip were' engaged by the. fiend and the-triggeroneaeed lov a finger- Normally. when the triseeris released, Serine 20. urges the Slide forwardly relatively tothe body. so that the blocks separated, to permit a .Screw to be caused to he .inserted between the blocks.-

Witli the snp rocoso@ by the hand. and the slide in its toward position so that the blocks are separated, a screw to be engaged is inserted between the blools- Thon the trigger is engaged and pressed on `so that through spring l1 the Slide. B iS'mOVcd rearwardly closing the blocks which embraces the screw.

Pressure on the trigger brings it into engagement with the left hand end of the slot in plate 1 and when held in this stop position spring l1,

which is suiiicientto overcome spring 20, causes the blocks to engage the screw being gauged with a, certain pressure according to the characteristics of said spring Il.

In the present form of the invention, any inaccuracies in the tread form, leadand inside diameter of the screw which affects assemblyability of the screw will be indicated upon the dial of indicator 30, while the indicator'32 is for indicating whether or not the pitch diameter thereof is within the allowable limits. When these characteristics satisfy the standards, the pointers in cooperation with the dial graduations so indicate it but any deviation beyond predetermined limits are visually indicated.

The threads of the blocks and the members 48 may be arranged so that the gauge blocks in cooperation with the indicators will give indications of any desired screw or thread characteristics and the indicia of the indicator dials may be varied within wide limits for various purposes.

As stated heretofore, the gauge blocks are removable from the body and slide so that various pairs of blocks for numerous gauging operations may be employed.

The gauge device being formed for manual engagement and operation by one hand makes it possible to perform successive gauging operations with great rapidity.

The invention is presented to fill a need for improvements in a gauging device. It is under'-, stood that various modifications in structure, as well as changes in mode of operation,l assembly, and manner of use, may and often do occur to those skilled in the art, especially after beneting from the teachings of an invention. Hence, it will be understood that this disclosure is illustrative of preferred means of embodying the invention in useful form by expanding the construction, operation and advantages thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A gauge for screw threads comprising ,a frame, a gauging member carried by the frame and having a threaded concave gauging portion, a second gauging member carried by the frame having a threaded concave gauging portion, means mounting one of the members upon the frame in cooperative relation with the other member to gauge a screw thread and for movement towards and from the other for insertion of the test part therewithin, means for indicating the position of the movable gauging member, a recess in one of the gauging members, a second gauging means projected into the recess to cngage at least one thread of the test part, and means to indicate the position of the second gauging means.

2. A gauge for screw threads comprising a frame, a gauging member carried by the frame and having a threaded concave gauging portion, a second gauging member carried by the frame having a threaded concave gauging portion, means mounting one of the members upon the frame in cooperative relation with the other member to gauge a screw thread and for movement towards and from the other for insertion of the test thread therewith, means for indicating the position of the movable gauging member, a recess in the movably mounted gauging member, a second gauging means projected into the recess to engage at least one thread of the test part, and means carried by the movable member to gauge a screw thread and for movement towards and from the other for insertion of the test part therewithin. means for indicating the position of the movable gauging member, a recess in one of the gauging members, a second gauging means movably mounted upon one of the gauging members and projected into the recess to engage at least one thread of the test part, and means to indicate the position of the second gauging means.

4. A gauge for screw threads comprising a frame, a gauging member carried by the frame and having a threaded concave gauging portion, a second gauging member carried by the frame having a threaded concave gauging portion, means mounting one of the members upon the frame in cooperative relation with the other member to gauge a screw thread and for movement towards and from the other for insertion of the test part therewithin, means for indicating the position of the. movable gauging member, a recess in the movable gauging member. a

second gauging means movably mounted upon the movable gauging member and projected into the recess to engage at least one thread of the test part, and means to indicate the position of the second gauging means.

5. A gauge for screw threads comprising'a frame, a gauging member xed to the frame and having a threaded concave gauging portion, a second gauging member having a threaded concave gauging portion, means mounting the second gauging member upon the fra-me in cooperative relation with the other member to gauge a screw thread and for sliding movement towards and from the other for insertion of the test part therewithin, means carried by the frame for indicating the position of the movable gauging member, a recess in the center of the second gauging member, pitch diameter gauging means slidably carried by the second gauging member and projected into the recess to engage at least one thread of the test part, and means carried by the slidable mounting means to indicate the position of the pitch diameter gauging means.

6. A gauge device for gauging screw threads and the like comprising in combination, a body having a depending hand grip, a slide guided in said body for movements in and out relative to said body, a trigger member on said slide engageable by a finger when the said grip is held by the hand for moving said slide inwardly to gauging position on the body, gauge block means carried by said body and slide having means :for engaging the threads `of a screw whenV the slide is in gauging position relative to the body, indif cators carried by said body and slide respectively having yleldable plungers, operating means carried by the slide for operatively engaging the plunger of the indicator of the body, and operating means carried by the block on the slide for operating the indicator on the slide.

7. A gauge device for gauging screw threads and the like comprising in combination, a body `having a depending hand grip, a slide guided in said body movements in and out relative to said body, a trigger member on said slide engageable -by a linger when 4the said grip is held by the hand for moving said slide inwardly to gauging position on ,the body, gauge block means carried by said body and slide having means for yengaging the threads of a screw when the slide -is in gauging position relative to the body, indicators carried by said body and slide respectively having yieldable plungers, operating means eerrieebytne entre for operativen engaging; une pion-ger: orf theindicator". ofi' i-,hel bodyi: operating rneanslcarrledby the block. on. the slide for operating the. indicatoren. the slide,7 and-n'ie'an'sint terposedffbetween parts otsaid slide: aridibodyl to urge the" slide outwardly of: the body from. gane.- ing position thereon. Y

`8.A.gange device for gai'igiingfscrewL threads and the: like' comprising in.combination;Y a. body having a depending-l'iar.d.grip;` a slidoguided in said body for movementsinandout relativerto said body, a trigger member onfsaide'slide engageable by. anngerwnen the said grip neld by tne'hand torv iiioving said slide inwardly to gauging position on the body, gaugef-blockmeans carried' by saidlbodyand: sl-iidohaving means for engaging tne'threads' oil a screw-when the slide-is irl-.gauging position relative tothe body, ari indicator carried bysaidbod'y lia-ving a yieidable plonger, operating means carried by the slide for operatively engaging the plunger' of the: indicatorof the-body, a -pilotmember movablein `and ont ontneblock carriedfby` the slide Vand provided-onetime inner iacethe'reowith means i or engaging between'the threadslof a Screw to' lbegaugfed' on the'p'itchdiameter' thereof, and` an indicator carried by the slide to indicate the position of the pitchf diameter gauging means; Y f

9. A gauge device for gauging screw threads and the like cor'm'o'risirigy i'n-y combination, a body having a dependinghand gril'oga slide-guided -in saidbody for movements inan'd outrelative to said body, a'- trigger'member on said slidefengageable byv a lnger when the safidg-rip is held by the hand tor movingsaid slide inwardlyto gauging position on the body,- gaiige blockl means-carried by said body and slide havingme'ans for'engagin-g theV threadsof'a screw whenr the slide is irr gadging posi-tion relativeto the body, an indicatorearriedbysaid body having a yieldable plunger, operating' means carried by the slide for operatively engaging the plunger of theind'icator of thebody, a pilot member movable inl and out on thev block carried by the slidel and provided on` the'inner face thereof with means 'vforlfengaging between the threads of a screw to ber gang-ecionthepitch diameter thereof,` said last named means' includ'- ing members separate' fiom-'triev blocksecured thereto at opposite ends to have intermediate portions for' engaging betweenl the threads of' a screw, and an. indicatorV carried? by' the-'slide to indicate the-position-vof the pitch diameter gaugingmeans; l f

v A gauge device for-gauging screw tl'ireads and the like comprisiiigincombination, a body member having a dependingliandgripr slide member guided in said' body` foi movements in and outV relativeA tosai'd body,I atrig'ger' oir said slide engageable byla' iinger'when the said `gfrip is held by thehandfor moving said'.slidefmem ber inwardly to gauging? psiti'on onf thev body member, gauge block means -carriedi'y'sadb'ody and .slide members having means `for engaging the threadsfoli a screw when the slide member is y in gauging; position relative` to the: body' mern ber, indicators carried' :by sai'dimemibershaving yieldable` plungersY operatingA n'reans` carried by the slide member` for operativelyrengaging the plunger of one of said .indicati-,orsy and operating means carried by the block on. th'esli'de `for operatingv the other. of. sai'dzv indicators, the. gauge block; means carriedby theublock.; on the; slide member'v including a. block. andi: a pilot .member movabe: ini and` out on.y said'.bloeit.l providedizon the iinner; facegtherepf with 1 means foi". engaging frs betweenthe iil"ir'=ea-iis`A cita screw to be caused on the diameter thereof;

1,1',l it gauge for screw. threads comprising a frame,a a gauging member carried' by the' frame having a gauging portion' oi? substantial length. for: engaging a plurality or threads, a seoondr: gauging. member' having a thread gauging. portion; means; mounting'- the members upon the frame co'operati'ifez relation with each other; to gauge: a screw thread, a recess in the center or' the".V gaginfg member di substantial length, pitendiametergamging means carried in the. recess/for engaging' at least one tliread of a test part while the latter isengaged by the gaugingnnembers. means mounting the: pitch diameter gauging means for'. movement, and means to indicate theposition of thel pitch diameter gauging-means 12. A gauge for screw threads comprising a frame,` axgauging member carried by' the frame and. having `a: gaugii'iggfv portion ofv substantial lengtlri'or engaging: a plurality of tlireads, a second gauging member having a thread gauging portion,K means mounting the members upon the frame in eooperativerel'ation Witheach other to ganga a screw thread and mounting one of s'ai'd members for movement relatively to the other, ai recess-in'. theoenter of thel gauging meinber` of. substantiai length, and. pitch: diameter gauging means'carried in the recess for' engaging atleast one thread of a test part while the latter isengagedbytne gauging members, and means to indicate: the'. position of the movable gauging member'.-

13. A gauge for screw threads' comprising a frame;` a gauging. member carried by' the frame and'. .havingv ab gauging' portion. oi substantial lerigtl'r-iorV engaging a plurality of threads, a second' gall-'ging member having. a thread gaugingtportiom mea-ns mounting the' members upon the frame in coopera-tive' relation with each other to" gauge' ascretv: thread. andr for opening and closing movement for'insertionV of a test part therebetween,- means for' indicating the position of al gauging member, the gauging member of substantial .lengtl1.,having"a central recess, pitch diameter gauging means carried' in the recess for engaging atleast; one thread. of a test part while' tlrel'atteri's engaged by the gauging. membersr means mountingthe pitch: diameter gauging means for movement Withinth'e central recess, andameans to indicate the: position oi the pitcl'r diameter gauging means;

I4: A gangefor' screw: threads comprising a trame, a .gaugngirrember carried by theV frame andhaving-a threaded gauging portion of substantialtlengtlfr for engaging a plurality' of threads, :a-second; gauging member having a threaded gauging-portion, means mounting. one of the members upon-.theiram'e ini cooperative relatim-rWitlfrithe other-member to4 gauge a screw threadtfandf. for. sliding movement' towards and from the'otherforinsertionf o a test part therewithin",` means forin'dicating the position of the movable gauging'- member, a central recess in the gauging memberoff substantial length, pitch diameter gauging means marriedl vin the recess for engaging at least onethread of a test part whilethelatterilis engaged 'by the gauging mem- Vlrers',larr "fmeanest@indicate the position of the pitch diameter? gatefirig means.

were ganga forsorevv threads: comprising a trarne; a;.ga1iging Vn'ielara including a gauging :renrberfV carried by the; frame" and having. a gairgingtfportion of .siebstantiailength for en- 10 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,337,018 Lockey et al Apr. 13, 1920 FOREIGN PATENTS l0 Number Country Date 49,164 Sweden 1921 312,942 Germany 1919 425,029 Germany 1926 Certiicate of Correction Patent No. 2,440,967.

May 4, 1948.

WILLIAM CLAY MOORE It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: C01 tread read thread; column 5 I ine 33, for expanding read explaining; and that the said Letters Patent should b may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 29th day of June, A. D. 1948.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant owmsioner of Patents.

umn 4, line 75,.for the Wordv e read with these corrections therein that the same v 

